I’ve talked to many artists that come in to Finer Frames looking for help in selling their artwork. So many that I thought it was time for an intervention. In fact I bet I’ve spoken to thousands of artists over the years. It’s my passion to help artists and this is an issue they apparently don’t teach in art school; how to apply to a gallery. As a gallery owner, I have had plenty of artists stop by without an appointment. Most times, its unexpected, disruptive to the day’s work and rarely leaves me with a positive feeling about the art or artist. Some encounters leave me wondering, “What were they thinking?”. So, if you are an artist looking to show your work at any gallery, consider these tips before applying to any gallery.
- First of all, do your research. Visit the gallery and do some basic recon to see if your art would be a fit. Check out the gallery’s website too. See what types of art and artists are featured. You’re bound to gain a lot of insight into the gallery’s vibe and whether or not your work complements their aesthetic.
- Call for an appointment. Unsolicited visits and emails by eager artists are rarely welcomed by busy gallery owners. Please don’t show up unannounced and expect to earn a spot on the exhibition calendar. Ask about their application procedure, whom you should speak with and when would be a convenient time to meet with the director.
- Don’t show photos on your phone. For the love of all things good, do not pull out your cell phone and start scrolling for an elusive picture of what’s promised to be your best and latest work. I can’t tell you how many times this has happened. It’s unprofessional and tells me the artists doesn’t take my time or their work seriously.
- Flash drives & disks are risky. Expect some hesitation from the gallery when presented with a potentially corrupted flash drive or disks and asked to plug into their computer. It wouldn’t look too good if you inadvertently brought down the gallery’s computer system.
- Advertise your brand. As an artist, YOU are a brand. Be ready to sell yourself with a professional business cards and even a brochure. Use a site like Moo to add photo of your work, website and social links to your printed marketing materials.
- Quality counts. To put your best foot (or frame) forward include a picture of the framing along with the artwork. Make your photos the best they can be, because quality counts. Consider having professional pictures taken of your artwork. Good lighting and high quality images can make a big difference.
- Make a statement. Your biography should include your education, exhibitions and awards and your artist statement should explain your work in a few sentences. The gallery, and ultimately the buyers want to know why you created the work. Make it meaningful. If you need a little help telling your story with a killer artist statement, check out an online generator like Artybollocks
Takeaway: Remember that galleries that will only take you as seriously as you take yourself.
If you’re interested in applying for representation at The Gallery at Finer Frames, now is the time to apply. We review submissions each November and schedule exhibitions one year in advance. Details can be found on “In the Gallery” tab at FinerFrames.com
Click here for the Gallery Application Form
Application Deadline Extended to November 10
